To study mechanical engineering in South Africa you need Mathematics and Physical Sciences in your National Senior Certificate. Mathematical Literacy does not meet the requirement. For a BEng or BSc (Eng) degree the 2027 requirements published by universities are level 5 or 6 in Mathematics and Physical Sciences plus an Admission Point Score (APS) that differs by university. CPUT’s diploma accepts level 4 in both subjects.
For the 2027 intake, the University of Pretoria (UP) asks for English 5, Mathematics 6, Physical Sciences 6 and APS 35, Wits asks for APS 42+ with level 5 in English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) asks for APS 32 with level 5 in all three for its BEng. Compare your results with each institution’s own table, because APS is calculated differently at each.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- Wits, BSc (Eng) Mechanical Engineering: APS 42+, English (Home Language or First Additional Language) level 5, Mathematics level 5, Physical Sciences level 5.
- UP, BEng Mechanical Engineering: English 5, Mathematics 6, Physical Sciences 6, APS 35.
- UCT, Mechanical Engineering: guaranteed admission at an FPS of 500 with Mathematics at least 80% and Physical Sciences at least 75%; likely admission at a weighted score (WPS) of 480 with the same subject marks.
- UJ, BEng Mechanical Engineering (4 years, APK campus, B6MS0Q): APS 32, English 5 (60%+), Mathematics 5 (60%+), Physical Science 5 (60%+). Technical Science is not accepted.
- UJ, BEngTech Mechanical Engineering (3 years, DFC campus, B6MC2Q): APS 30, English 4 (50%+), Mathematics 5 (60%+), Physical Science 5 (60%+) or Technical Science 5 (60%+).
- CPUT, Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Bellville): APS 30 (CPUT’s Method 2), English 4 (50%), Mathematics 4 (50%) or Technical Mathematics 5 (60%), Physical Science 4 (50%) or Technical Science 5 (60%).
Check the Wits course page, UP’s 2027 application requirements tables, UCT’s 2027 engineering entry requirements, the UJ undergraduate admissions page and the CPUT prospectus entry for the latest figures.
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Mechanical engineering is taught at three levels, and each leads towards a different registration category with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA):
- BEng or BSc (Eng): leads towards Professional Engineer. ECSA requires an accredited BEng or BSc (Eng) or equivalent, structured practical training, reports and a review.
- BEngTech: leads towards Professional Engineering Technologist, which needs an accredited BEngTech degree or equivalent plus structured work experience.
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering: leads towards Professional Engineering Technician, which needs an accredited National Diploma or equivalent plus relevant workplace experience.
Nationally, a bachelor’s degree needs an NSC with at least 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the institution and an achievement rating of 4 (50–59%) or better in four 20-credit subjects. Institutions may set additional requirements, and engineering faculties do.
UP also has a five-year BEng (previously ENGAGE) for all engineering disciplines. It asks for 65% in English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences and an APS of 33, and its first year offers foundation modules. UCT scores applicants with a Faculty Points Score (FPS) out of 600, and its NBTs must be written but are not used for admission to engineering.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Mathematics and Physical Sciences are the deciding subjects. Institutions set a minimum for each separately from the APS, so a high total will not make up for a Mathematics result below the minimum.
Technical Mathematics and Technical Science are accepted for CPUT’s diploma at level 5 (60%), and for UJ’s BEngTech. UJ’s BEng does not accept Technical Science. UP and Wits list Mathematics and Physical Sciences for their degrees, so check the programme page before choosing Grade 10 subjects.
CPUT recommends, but does not require, one of Electrical Technology, Engineering Graphics and Design or Mechanical Technology at level 3 (60%).
Vocational routes into the diploma. CPUT also admits applicants with an NC(V) Level 4 with 60% in English, Mathematics and Engineering Science, or an N4 National Certificate with 60% in Mathematics and Engineering Science, with English equivalent to the NSC.
Extended programmes. If your marks fall short, ask about an extended route. UJ lists an extended Mechanical Engineering programme (B6MX2Q, DFC campus) at APS 24 with English 4 (50%+) and Mathematics 5 (60%+), UP has its five-year BEng, and CPUT lists an extended version of its diploma.
Documents and Application Requirements
Apply directly to each institution. At Wits, applications are handled by the Student Enrolment Centre: submit the application, required documents and application fee before the closing date, and track progress on the Self Service Portal. Grade 12 learners apply to UP and UJ with their final Grade 11 results.
UJ applications are free. South African applicants with no previous studies do not have to submit supporting documents, transfer applicants submit their academic record, and international applicants submit a certified passport and school results. UJ allows two application choices per year. Ask the other institutions which documents they require.
Closing dates for the 2027 intake:
- UP: 30 June 2026 for engineering. This has closed.
- Wits: 30 September 2026, including residence applications. This has closed.
- UJ: 31 October 2026 at 12:00 for all undergraduate programmes. This is still open, and UJ says no late applications are accepted.
- UCT and CPUT: confirm the closing date with the institution, as the pages above do not state it for this programme.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place. Wits wait-lists applicants with level 5 in English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, subject to space, and level 6 in all three gives a greater chance. UJ ranks applicants on total APS and space availability, with final selection in January on Grade 12 results.
- Apply to more than one institution and more than one level, for example a BEng and a diploma, so a narrow miss on Mathematics does not cost you a year.
- Before enrolling, confirm that the programme is accredited by ECSA, because registration depends on an accredited qualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to study mechanical engineering in South Africa?
You need an NSC with Mathematics and Physical Sciences. For 2027, degrees ask for level 5 or 6 in both, as at UP, Wits and UJ, with an APS set by each institution. CPUT’s diploma asks for level 4 in both with APS 30.
Can I study mechanical engineering with Mathematical Literacy?
No. Mathematics is required. CPUT accepts Technical Mathematics at level 5 for its diploma and UJ accepts it for the BEngTech, but Mathematical Literacy is not listed as an accepted subject.
What APS do I need for mechanical engineering?
It depends on the institution: UP 35, Wits 42+, UJ 32 for the BEng and 30 for the BEngTech, and CPUT 30 for the diploma. UCT uses an FPS of 500 for guaranteed admission instead. Always use each institution’s own calculation method.
What are the general requirements for engineering?
Across engineering disciplines the core requirements are Mathematics, Physical Sciences, English and a score above the programme minimum. Levels differ by discipline and institution, so check each programme page.
What is the difference between a BEng, a BEngTech and a diploma?
They lead towards different ECSA categories: a BEng or BSc (Eng) towards Professional Engineer, a BEngTech towards Professional Engineering Technologist, and a diploma towards Professional Engineering Technician.
Do I need Engineering Graphics and Design?
Not as a requirement in the published tables. CPUT recommends one of Electrical Technology, Engineering Graphics and Design or Mechanical Technology, and UP and Wits list only English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences as subjects.
Can I start with a diploma and move to a degree later?
Credit recognition and transfer rules are set by the receiving institution, so ask the university you want to move to before you choose the diploma.
Admission requirements, APS minimums and closing dates change with each intake. Confirm them with the institution you are applying to, and confirm programme accreditation with the Engineering Council of South Africa.
See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.